Beer with Gr-attitude: 401 brewers give thanks to the 401 beer community

Local beer lovers have an abundance of thanks to give, as they revel in the splendor of our ever-expanding brewery scene and thriving suds culture. In the spirit of the celebratory season, we asked 401 beermakers to share their reasons to be cheerful (and a few newsy tidbits).

Let’s start in South Kingstown at Whalers Brewing Company. Josh Dunlap and Wes Staschke said, “We would like to express our gratitude for everyone in Rhode Island and beyond who have helped make 2018 an amazing year for Whalers. We’re grateful for all the support we’ve received from the Rhode Island drinking community and are looking forward to wrapping up the year strong with some awesome new beers coming out just in time for Thanksgiving, and some OG recipes making a comeback in the taproom. Wes has a new sour ale coming out called Piesces, brewed with green apple, cinnamon and vanilla. And Josh is brewing American Strong Ale this month – one of the first recipes we ever brewed at Whalers. Thanks for drinking our beer, everyone!”

Adam Henderson and Paul DiBiase at Beer On Earth in North Kingstown tell us that “We will be open the night before Thanksgiving for pours and growler fills, and plan on releasing a chocolate stout within the next couple of weeks, and a few more seasonal beers as we get closer to Xmas. We are thankful for all of the customers who took a chance on us early on and continue to support us on a weekly basis. We are also thankful for the new customers who show up at the brewery each week to drink our beer – especially the ones who show patience in locating the brewery after driving past it a couple times! Finally, we are thankful for all of the help and advice that we have gotten from other RI brewers and the acceptance that they have shown us within the brewing community since day one.”

Mat Medeiros at Revival Brewing reports from Cranston: “We canned and released Neverbetter Double Black IPA last weekend. It’s the re-launch of the Double Black IPA we released as our first beer all those years ago. And we’re partnering with the Black Ale Project – proceeds from every can sold will go toward the American Military Partner Association that supports LGBTQ service members and veterans. And that’s exactly what we’re thankful for: helping others. Being able to do what you love every day is a blessing and we love beer. But we love our community more because without community we wouldn’t be able to do any of this.”

We’ll give the last short-and-sweet/thanks-related words to Armando DeDona at Long Live Beerworks: “I’m thankful for our strong and supportive beer community. It’s truly what keeps us innovating.” (He also noted that they’re “aiming for January” to open their fab new space a mile or so from their current Providence HQ.)

Let’s squeeze in three more newsy notes: Smug Brewing Company had its Grand Opening on November 10, following a couple of soft-open weekends. The latest 401 beermaker – in Pawtucket where Bucket usedtabe (100 Carver St) – hit the ground running with its first can releases (Blocker, an American pale ale, and Driving Miss Hazy, a New England IPA) during the gala event. Congrats to head brewer Rob DaRosa and his partner Stephen David on their new venture.

Shaidzon Beer Company’s first anniversary bash is on Friday, November 23, from 1 to 8pm (in West Kingston), featuring two special brews: a First Anniversary Imperial Stout brewed with vanilla bean, cacao and lactose; and Lowland Villager, a saison returning to its original form with peppercorn and locally sourced sage from Petals Farm. Both will be available in 16-ounce cans and on tap. And there will be live music from the trio Take It To the Bridge from 3 to 6pm.

And two tasty worlds will collide at Proclamation Ale Company in Warwick on Sunday, November 18 from noon to 4pm, when the brewery does another collab with Knead Doughnuts. The pop-up event showcases a “beer-inspired doughnut and a doughnut-inspired beer.” Get alla the details at facebook.com/Proclamationale

Cheers and happy T-Day!